Cable retractor for rotatable docking station

ABSTRACT

A cable retractor includes a frame having first and second frame ends, opposing frame walls between the frame ends, and a track extending along one of the frame walls. A block slides along the track. A single first pulley is coupled to the block and is rotatable about a first axis that moves together with the block, the first pulley being the sole pully that is rotatable about the first axis. A spring spool is mounted at the first frame end. A spring has a coiled part wound around the spring spool and has a segment that extends away from the coiled part and is coupled to the block. A single second pulley is disposed at the second frame end and is rotatable about a fixed second axis, the second pulley being the sole pully that is rotatable about the second axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.17/575,273, filed Jan. 13, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present embodiments relate to devices for rotatably mountingelectronic devices atop a surface, such as a desk top or table top, andfor providing power and data connections to the rotatably mountedelectronic devices. The present embodiments also relate to devices forstoring, withdrawing, and retracting cables in conjunction with devicesfor rotatably mounting electronic devices.

Background Art

In many applications, it is desirable to provide electronic devices thatpermit the control of audio, video, conferencing, and other functions byplural people within a common area, such as in a conference room. Toenable each person to access the electronic device, the electronicdevice may be disposed atop a surface that is available to each of theseparticipants, such as atop a table top of desk top. To use theelectronic device, a person in the conference room or other common areapreferably faces, for example, a screen and/or keypad of the electronicdevice. When another person in the room desires access to the device,the prior user may need to switch seats or spots with the new user,which may be disruptive to the flow of a conference or meeting.Alternatively, the electronic device may be physically moved along thetable top from the location of one user to that of another user, whichis also disruptive and may inadvertently cause one or more of the cablesconnected to the electronic device to be disconnected.

It is therefore desirable to provide a docking station or mountingassembly that supports such electronic devices in a manner that permitsthe electronic device surface to be turned from one user to anotherwhile minimizing disruption and minimizing the risk of the disconnectionof cables.

In many such applications, it is further desirable for the dockingstation or mounting assembly to provide additional power and dataconnections to different electrical or electronic devices in theconference room or other common area using cables which may be dispensedwhen needed and then withdrawn out of sight when no longer needed.

It is therefore desirable to provide cable retractors that are suitablefor attachment to, and for use in conjunction with, such a mounting ordocking station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptionsthat follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with an aspect, a swivel mount assembly for rotationalmounting of an electronic device to a mounting structure, the swivelmount assembly comprises: (a) an assembly body, comprising: (1) aninsertable part configured to be inserted into an opening in themounting structure, the opening extending from a first surface of themounting structure to an opposing second surface of the mountingstructure, the insertable part having a shape that conforms to a shapeof the opening, (2) a lip part attached to an end of the insertable partand being wider than the opening in the mounting structure such that thelip rests on the first surface upon the insertable part being insertedinto the opening; (b) a securing body configured to secure the assemblybody to the mounting structure; and (c) a rotatable body configured tobe rotatable about an axis extending through the opening in the mountingstructure, the rotatable body comprising: (1) another insertable partconfigured to be inserted into an opening in the insertable part of theassembly body, (2) a plate part attached to an end of the anotherinsertable part such that the plate part is adjacent to the lip part ofthe assembly body upon the another insertable part being inserted intothe opening in the assembly body, the plate part having at least oneaperture formed therein, (3) a plurality of sidewalls each joined at oneend to the plate part, at least one of the sidewalls having at least oneside aperture formed therein, and (4) a platform part disposed at anopposing end of each of the plurality of sidewalls and being configuredto support the electronic device, the platform part having at least oneaperture formed therein, the at least one aperture in the plate part andthe at least one aperture in the platform part being disposed atrespective locations that permit a cable extending from the electronicdevice to pass through each.

According to another aspect, a rotatable docking station, comprises: (a)a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronic deviceto a mounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising: (1) anassembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable part configured to beinserted into a circular opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part being acylindrical tube, and an outer surface of the insertable part of theassembly body being threaded, (B) a lip part attached to an end of theinsertable part and being wider than the opening in the mountingstructure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening, (2) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure, thesecuring body including a ring part that is threaded on its inside suchthat the ring part is rotatable along the threaded outer surface of theinsertable part of the assembly body until the ring part contacts thesecond surface of the mounting structure and secures the lip of theinsertable part of the assembly body against the first surface of themounting structure, (3) a rotatable body configured to be rotatableabout an axis extending through the opening in the mounting structure,the rotatable body comprising: (A) another insertable part configured tobe inserted into an opening in the insertable part of the assembly body,the another insertable part of the rotatable body being a furthercylindrical tube having an opening therein that extends from the end ofthe another insertable part to an opposing end of the another insertablepart, (B) a plate part attached to the end of the another insertablepart such that the plate part is adjacent to the lip part of theassembly body upon the another insertable part being inserted into theopening in the assembly body, the opening in the cylindrical tubefurther extending through a region of the plate part, the plate parthaving at least one aperture formed in another region of the plate part,(C) a plurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part,at least one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) at least one roller disposed within the opening in thecylindrical tube, and (4) a platform part disposed at an opposing end ofeach of the plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach; and (b) at least one cable retractor coupled to another end of theanother insertable part of the rotatable body, and comprising: (1) aframe having first and second frame ends, opposing first and secondframe walls disposed between the first and second frame ends, and atrack extending along one of the first and second frame walls, (2) aslideable block disposed in, and configured to slide along, the track,(3) a first pulley coupled to the slideable block and rotatable about afirst axis that moves together with the slidable block, (4) at least onespring spool mounted at the first frame end, (5) a spring having acoiled part wound around the at least one spring spool, and having asegment that extends away from the coiled part and is coupled to theslideable block, and (6) a second pulley disposed at the second frameend and rotatable about a fixed second axis, (c) wherein (1) anintermediate storage section of a further cable is ordinarily disposedwithin the frame of the at least one retractor and wound around at leastpart of each of the first and second pulleys, (2) a first end of theintermediate storage section extends through a first opening located inone of the first and second frame walls, and (3) a second end of theintermediate storage section extends through a second opening located atthe second frame end and through the further cylindrical tube of theanother insertable part, the at least one roller being configured todirect the second end of the intermediate storage section to furtherpass through the at least one side aperture of the at least one of thesidewalls, (4) in response to the second end of the intermediate storagesection of the cable being pulled away from the at least one aperture inthe at least one of the sidewalls of the rotatable body, the firstpulley and the slideable block are urged away from the first frame endtoward the second frame end thereby permitting a portion of theintermediate storage section of the cable to be withdrawn from therotatable docking station.

According to a further aspect, a cable retractor, comprises: (a) a framehaving first and second frame ends, opposing first and second framewalls disposed between the first and second frame ends, and a trackextending along one of the first and second frame walls; (b) a slideableblock configured to slide along the track; (c) a single first pulleycoupled to the slideable block and rotatable about a first axis thatmoves together with the slidable block; (d) at least one spring spoolmounted at the first frame end; (e) a spring having a coiled part woundaround the at least one spring spool, and having a segment that extendsaway from the coiled part and is coupled to the slideable block; and (f)a single second pulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatableabout a fixed second axis; (g) wherein (1) an intermediate storagesection of a cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame, a first endof the intermediate storage section extending through a first openinglocated in one of the first and second frame walls, and a second end ofthe intermediate storage section extending through a second openinglocated at the second frame end, (2) the intermediate storage section ofthe cable extends from the first end the intermediate storage section ofthe cable to the first pulley, then around the at least part of thefirst pulley, then from the first pulley to the second pulley, thenaround the at least part of the second pulley, and then from the secondpulley to the second end of the intermediate storage section of thecable, (3) in response to the second end of the intermediate storagesection of the cable being pulled away from the frame, the first pulleyand the slideable block are urged away from the first frame end towardthe second frame end thereby permitting a portion of the intermediatestorage section of the cable to be withdrawn from the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures further illustrate the present embodiments.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing

FIGS. 1A and 1B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of arotatable docking station with three retractors attached in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of arotatable docking station with a single retractor attached in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a close-up top and bottom perspective views,respectively, of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and2A-2B.

FIG. 4A is a close-up side elevation view of the swivel mount assemblyshown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 4B is a close-up side elevation view of the swivel mount assemblyshown in FIG. 4A showing the rotatable body removed from the assemblybody in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B with the platform part removed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of one of the retractors shown in FIGS.1A-1B and 2A-2B in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of the retractor shown in FIG. 7Awith a side panel removed.

FIG. 7C is a side perspective view of the retractor shown in FIG. 7Awith a side panel removed and the cable fully withdrawn from theretractor.

FIGS. 8A-8E are top perspective views showing the mounting of therotatable docking station with retractors in an opening in a surface inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounted rotatable dockingstation with retractors shown in FIG. 8B taken along line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments provide a rotatable docking station forrotatably supporting electronic devices and providing rotatableelectrical and data connections to the electronic device while alsoproviding additional retractable electrical and data connections forother devices .

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to”.

List of Reference Numbers for the Major Elements in the Drawing

The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings innumerical order.

100 Rotatable Docking Station With Cable Retractors 110 Swivel MountAssembly 150 Cable Retractor 302 Rotatable Body 308 Cylindrical Regionof Rotatable Body 310 Insertable Part 311 Cylindrical Region ofInsertable Part 312 Threads 314 Lip Part 316 Lip Part Gear Teeth 318Circular Gear 320 Plate Part 322 Side Walls 324 Side Wall Apertures 326Cables 328 First Roller 330 Platform Part 332 Platform Part Apertures334 Extensions 336 Plate Part Aperture 338 Second Roller 340 End Portion700 Retractor Frame 702 First Frame End 704 Second Frame End 706 FirstFrame Wall 708 Second Frame Wall 710 Track 712 Slideable Block 720Single First Pulley 722 First Axis 730 First Spring Spool 732 SecondSpring Spool 734 Spring 740 Single Second Pulley 750 Staple Catch 752Latch Part 760 First Opening 762 Second Opening 764 Clip/Clamp 780 Cable782 Intermediate Storage Section of Cable 784 First End of Cable 786Second End of Cable 790 Free Connectors 792 Hidden Connectors 800Mounting Structure 802 Mounting Structure Opening 804 First Surface 806Second Surface 810 Threaded Securing Body 820 Electronic Device

Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

The embodiment described herein in the context of a rotatable dockingstation with cable retractors, but is not limited thereto, except as maybe set forth expressly in the appended claims.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a rotatable docking station 100 isshown in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates a topperspective view of the rotatable docking station 100 and FIG. 1B showsa bottom perspective view of the rotatable docking station 100.

The rotatable docking station 100 includes a swivel mount assembly 110,according to an embodiment. One or more cable retractors 150 are alsoincluded according to an embodiment. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, three suchcable retractors 150 are provided. Alternatively, only one or two cableretractors 150 may be provided. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B show topand bottom perspective views, respectively, of the rotatable dockingstation 100 in which only one cable retractor 150 is provided.

FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B and 6 show in greater detail the swivel mountassembly 110 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B. FIG. 3A illustrates atop perspective view of the swivel mount assembly 110, and FIG. 3B showsa bottom perspective view of the swivel mount assembly 110. FIGS. 4A-4Bshow side views of the swivel mount assembly 110. FIGS. 5A-5B show topplan views of the swivel mount assembly 110, and FIG. 6 shows a bottomplan view of the swivel mount assembly 110.

The swivel mount assembly 110 includes a rotatable body 302 and aninsertable part 310 shown assembled in, e.g., FIG. 4A, and showndisassembled in FIG. 4B. The insertable part 310 is configured to beinserted at one end into an opening in a surface of a table top, desktop, or other structure. Typically, the opening extends completelythrough the table top, desk top, or other structure, and the insertablepart 310 typically has a shape that corresponds to the shape of theopening to permit the insertable part 310 to fit into the opening.According to an embodiment, the insertable part 310 may becylindrical-shaped for insertion into a corresponding circular openingand includes a cylindrical portion 311. For example, FIG. 8A shows amounting structure 800, which may be a portion of the table top, desktop, or other structure, having a circular opening 802 into which thecylindrical portion 311 is inserted.

Referring back to FIGS. 4A-4B, a lip part 314 is located at one end ofthe end of the cylindrical portion 311 and may be integral with orcoupled to the cylindrical portion 311. The lip part 314 is typicallywider than the opening in the mounting structure so that the lip part304 rests on a surface of the mounting structure after the insertablepart is inserted into the opening. For example, the lip part 304 issuitable to rest on a first surface 804 of the mounting structure 800shown in FIG. 8A.

Referring again back to FIGS. 4A-4B, the outer surface of thecylindrical portion 311 typically includes threads 312 over which, forexample, a ring-shaped securing body that has compatible threads may beturned. For example, FIG. 8A shows a threaded securing body 810 that hasthreads compatible with the threads 312. After the insertable part 310is inserted into an opening and the lip part 304 rests upon a firstsurface 804 of the mounting structure 800, the threaded securing body810 may be turned along the threads 312 until it is secured against asecond surface 806 of the mounting structure 800 and secures the lippart 304 to the first surface of 804.

Returning again to FIGS. 4A-4B, the swivel mount assembly 110 alsoincludes a rotatable body 302 that is configured to be inserted into anopening in the cylindrical portion 311 of the insertable part 310. Therotatable body 302 includes a cylindrical portion 308 having an outersurface that is configured to be rotatable in the opening in thecylindrical portion 311.

The rotatable body 302 includes, at one end of the cylindrical portion308, a plate part 320 that is integral with, or coupled to, thecylindrical portion 308. At an opposing end of the cylindrical portion308, an end portion 340 is attached to which one, two or threeretractors may be coupled. A plurality of side walls 322 extend awayfrom, and may be integral with, the plate part 320. One or more sidewall apertures 324 are provided in at least one of the side walls andprovide openings through which a free end of a retractor cable passes.Each side wall aperture 324 is typically wider than the width of one ofthe retractor cables but is narrower than a connector disposed at thefree end of the cable to prevent the connector from being drawn into theswivel mount assembly 110 and the retractor 150 when the cable isretracted.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of the swivel mount assembly 110. A platformpart 330 is disposed at the ends of the sidewalls and covers the openingin the rotatable body 302. One or more platform part apertures 332 maybe formed in the platform part 330 to permit cable from the electronicdevice to pass through. Extensions 334 that extend from the platformpart 330 may also be provided to permit the electronic device to beattached to the platform part 330.

FIG. 5B shows a top view of the swivel mount assembly 110 with theplatform part 330 removed. A pair of rollers 328, 338 reduce thefriction on a cable 326 while the cable is being withdrawn from theretractor 150 and the swivel mount assembly 110 and while the cable 326is being retracted into the retractor 150. The cable 326 passes upwardfrom the retractor 150 and through the opening within the cylindricalregion 311 of the insertable part 310, and then passes over a firstroller 328 and under a second roller 338 before exiting the swivel mountassembly 110 through the side wall aperture 324.

A plate part aperture 336 is disposed below the one or more platformpart apertures 332 formed in the platform part 330 and, together withthe one or more platform part apertures 332, permit cables from theelectronic device to pass through the swivel mount assembly 110 to theopening within the cylindrical region 311 of the insertable part 310.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the swivel mount assembly 110. A circulargear 318 is rotatably coupled to the plate part 320 and mates with gearteeth 316 formed in part of the outer circumference of the lip part 314.The gear teeth 316 and the circular gear 318 combine to act as a damperon the rotation of the swivel mount assembly 110. Further, the gearteeth 316 are present only on part of the outer circumference of the lippart 314 to restrict the range of rotation of the swivel mount assembly110.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrates a cable retractor 150 for facilitating thewithdrawal and retraction of a length of cable 780 according to anembodiment. To permit the incorporation of two or three cable retractors150 within the space provided beneath the swivel mount assembly 110shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, the present embodiments provide cableretractors 150 that are thinner than cable retractors known in the art.For example, the cable retractors 150 are thinner than those describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,469,303, 8,469,304, and 8,469,305, each issued Jun.25, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,224, issued Feb. 25, 2014, U.S. Pat. No.9,056,744, issued Jun. 16, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,475,673, issuedOct. 25, 2016, each to Feldstein, et al., the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The cable retractor 150 provides a compartment to keep interface cablesat the ready to be withdrawn and plugged into computers, AV sources, anda host of other devices. The cable retractor 150 provides for extensiveconnectivity in an easy pull out cable storage mechanism to support awide range of applications and signal types. When the cable 780 is notin use, the cable 780 stows neatly within the cable retractor 150.Additionally, while cable 780 is in use, any excess of the cable 780simply remains out-of-sight in the cable retractor 150.

The cable retractor 150 is mounted to an end portion 340 disposed at theend of the rotatable body 302 of the swivel mount assembly 110. One endof the cable retractor 150 is connected to end portion 340 using, forexample, brackets, clips, screws, or like fasteners. In one embodiment,the cable retractor 150 is mounted vertically below the mountingstructure, such as below a conference room table or a desk.

FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of the cable retractor150. The cable retractor 150 includes a retractor frame 700. Theretractor frame 700 includes first and second frame ends 702, 704. Theretractor 150 stores, within the frame 700, an intermediate storagesection 782 of the cable 780. The cable 780 may be a USB cable, Ethernetcable, 15-PIN VGA (plus audio combined) HDMI cable, DVI cable, CAT-5cable, CAT-5E cable, CAT-6 cable, optical fiber, audio cable, displayport or another type of cable.

The retractor frame 700 may be made of any material that can be molded,extruded or bent, for example, a metal such as aluminum or a polymer.Example of polymers include plastics such as thermoplastic, thermosetplastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and engineeringplastic, for example, synthetic polymers including nylon.

The cable retractor 150 includes a single first pulley 720 and a singlesecond pulley 740. The first pulley 720 rotates independently along afirst axis 722. The second pulley 740 rotates independently along asecond axis 742. Only a single first pulley 720 and a single secondpulley 740 are provided, rather than the paired first pulleys and pairedsecond pulleys present in known cable retractors, to provide a thinnerprofile that allows space for two or three such cable retractors to becoupled to the swivel mount assembly 110. To make up for the loss incable length storage capacity resulting from the absence of pairedpulleys, the length of the retractor frame 700 is roughly double thelength of the frame of the known, paired-pulley cable retractors.

FIG. 7B illustrates the cable retractor 150 with a cover of theretractor frame 700 removed. The intermediate storage section 782 of thecable 780 is at least partially wound over the first and second pulleys720, 740. A first end 784 of the cable is disposed outside of theretractor frame 700 and extends from a first opening 760 in theretractor frame 700 to a connector 792 that is typically hidden underthe mounting structure. The first end 784 is typically also be held inplace against the retractor frame 700 by a a clip 764.

Within the retractor frame 700, a section of the intermediate storagesection 782 of the cable 780 extends from the first opening 760 to thefirst pulley 720 and over the first pulley 720. Another section of theintermediate storage section 782 of the cable 780 extends from the firstpulley 720 to, and over, the second pulley 740. A second (free) end 786of the cable 780 extends from the second pulley 740 through a secondopening 762 in the retractor frame 700 and outside the retractor frame700.

The first and second pulleys 720, 740 are laterally spaced apart fromeach other with the first pulley 720 ordinarily being disposed at thefirst frame end 702 of the retractor frame 700, and the second pulley740 being disposed at the second frame end 704 of the retractor frame700. The first pulley 720 rotates on a first axis 722 and is rotatablymounted on a slideable block 712 that is disposed in the upper and lowerlaterally spaced tracks 710 for sliding motion between the first andsecond frame ends 702, 704. The second pulley 740 rotates along a secondaxis 722 which is located adjacent to the second frame end 704 of theretractor frame 700.

The retractor frame 700 includes peripheral first and second frame walls706, 708 that form the laterally spaced tracks 710. The tracks 710 eachhave an elongated guide recess (not shown) that receive the slideableblock 712. The slideable block 712 is slidably mounted in the tracks710. The tracks 710 may be made of, or coated with, a low frictionmaterial, such as Teflon or the like.

In addition to being connected to the first pulley 720, the slideableblock 712 is connected at one end to a spring 734 that is further woundaround at least one of the first and second spring spools 730, 732. Thespring 734 (in a normal or relaxed state) exerts a near continuousretraction force to urge the slideable block 712, along with the firstpulley 720, away from the second pulley 740. The retraction force urgesthe slideable block 712 away from the second pulley 740 to a storage orretracted position.

The cable retractor 700 may include a dampening system (not shown) forpreventing the cable 780 from whipping during retraction.

When a user desires to draw out a length of the cable 780, the usertypically pulls on the second (free) end 786 of the cable 780. By theuser exerting a force greater than the retraction force exerted by thespring 734, the pulling on the second (free) end 786 of the cable 780urges the first pulley 720, along with the slideable block 712,longitudinally along the tracks 710 toward the second pulley 740.

As the free end 786 of the cable 780 is withdrawn, the first pulley 720together with the slideable block 712 moves from a position shown inFIG. 7B toward a position shown in FIG. 7C. At the same time, the spring734 is unwound from the first and second spring spools 730, 732 andexerts a force counter to the force exerted by the user. That is, a userpulling on the free end 786 of the stored cable 780 exerts a force onthe first pulley 720 and draws the slideable block 712 and the firstpulley 720 along the track 710 away from first and second spring spools730, 732 and toward the fixed second pulley 740. This motion of theslideable block 712 and longitudinally first pulley 720 is resisted bycontinued elongation of the spring 734 from the spring spools 730, 732during withdrawal of on the free end 786 of the stored cable 780

Should the user then release the free end 786 of the cable, the spring734 ordinarily would draw the free end 786 of the cable 780, togetherwith any portion of the intermediate storage section 782 of the cable780 that was withdrawn from the retractor 150, back inside the retractorframe 700. Therefore, to prevent the withdrawn cable from being pulledback in and allowing its use, a staple catch 750 is provided on, forexample, the slidable block 712, and a latch part 752 is provided, forexample, adjacent to the second pulley 740. When the free end 786 of thecable 780 is fully withdrawn from the retractor body 700, the latch part752 mates with the staple catch 750 and holds the slideable block 712 inthe fully withdrawn position shown in FIG. 7C.

To release the staple catch 750 from the latch part 752, the user merelyfurther pulls on the free end 786 of the cable 780. The latch part 752is configured to release the staple catch 750 upon such force beingexerted. The spring 734 then draws the sliding block 712, together withthe first pulley 720, back toward the first end of the retractor body700 to the position shown in FIG. 7B, and retracts the withdrawn part ofthe cable 780 back inside the retractor body 700.

FIG. 8A shows the rotatable docking station 100 in position to beinserted into an opening in a mounting structure 800. The mountingstructure 800 may be a portion of the table top, desk top, or otherstructure. The opening may be a circular opening 802 into which thecylindrical-shaped insertable part 310 of the swivel mount assembly 110may be inserted.

As described above, the rotatable docking station 100 includes theswivel mount assembly 110 and the retractors 150. Additionally,connectors 790 are provided at the respective free ends of the cables780, and extend outward from the side wall apertures of the swivel mountassembly 110. The connectors 790 are in positions where any one of themmay be pulled away from the swivel mount assembly 110, at the same timewithdrawing a portion of the attached cable 780 from the correspondingcable retractor 150.

FIG. 8B shows the rotatable docking station 100 after insertion into theopening 802. The cable retractors 150, as well as the assembly body ofthe swivel mount assembly 110, are hidden below the mounting structure800. Only the portion of the swivel mount assembly 110 that is from thelip part 304 to the platform part 330 remains above a first surface 804of the mounting structure 800, with the lip part resting directly on thefirst surface 804.

The insertable part 310 of the swivel mount assembly 110 is secured tothe mounting structure 800 using the threaded securing body 810, shownin FIG. 8A. Specifically, the securing body 810 is turned about thethreads 312 of the insertable part 310 until the securing body 810contacts the second surface 806 of the mounting body 800, causing thelip part 304 to press against the first surface 804 of the mountingstructure 800 and securing the insertable part 310 of the swivel mountassembly 110 and the cable retractor in place. The rotatable body 302 ofthe swivel mount assembly 110, however, remains free to be rotated atleast within the predetermined range of angles.

FIG. 8C shows the electronic device 820 that is to be supported by therotatable docking station 100. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 820 is securable to the extensions 334 of the swivelmount assembly 110. Additionally, power and data cables (not shown)extending from the bottom of the electronic device 820 are fed throughthe platform part apertures 332 of the swivel mount assembly 110 to behidden from view.

FIGS. 8D and 8E show the electronic device 820 mounted to the swivelmount assembly 110 with the cables extending from the electronic device820 hidden from view.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the rotatable docking station 100taken along line A-A of FIG. 8D. The cable retractor 150 is shown withthe slideable block 712 and first pulley disposed at positions similarto that shown in FIG. 7B, except that the retractor frame 700 arrangedvertically in its mounted position. FIG. 9 also shows the routing of thecable 782 through the cable retractor 150 and the swivel mount assembly110. After exiting the cable retractor 150, the cable 782 passes overthe first roller 328 and under the second roller 338, each locatedwithin the swivel mount assembly 110 as shown in FIG. 5B, before exitingthrough the sidewall aperture 324.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

To solve the aforementioned problems, the present embodiments provide arotatable docking station that includes a swivel mount assembly and oneor more cable retractors.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable retractor, comprising: (a) a frame havingfirst and second frame ends, opposing first and second frame wallsdisposed between the first and second frame ends, and a track extendingalong one of the first and second frame walls; (b) a slideable blockconfigured to slide along the track; (c) a single first pulley coupledto the slideable block and rotatable about a first axis that movestogether with the slidable block, the first pulley being the sole pullythat is rotatable about the first axis; (d) at least one spring spoolmounted at the first frame end; (e) a spring having a coiled part woundaround the at least one spring spool, and having a segment that extendsaway from the coiled part and is coupled to the slideable block; and (f)a single second pulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatableabout a fixed second axis, the second pulley being the sole pully thatis rotatable about the second axis; (g) wherein (1) an intermediatestorage section of a cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame, afirst end of the intermediate storage section extending through a firstopening located in one of the first and second frame walls, and a secondend of the intermediate storage section extending through a secondopening located at the second frame end, (2) the intermediate storagesection of the cable extends from the first end of the intermediatestorage section of the cable to the first pulley, then around the atleast part of the first pulley, then from the first pulley to the secondpulley, then around the at least part of the second pulley, and thenfrom the second pulley to the second end of the intermediate storagesection of the cable, (3) in response to the second end of theintermediate storage section of the cable being pulled away from theframe, the first pulley and the slideable block are urged away from thefirst frame end toward the second frame end thereby permitting a portionof the intermediate storage section of the cable to be withdrawn fromthe frame, the first pulley being the sole pully being urged away fromthe first frame end.
 2. The cable retractor of claim 1, wherein the atleast one spring spool comprises (a) first and second spring spools eachmounted at the first frame end, wherein (b) a first coiled part of thespring is wound around the first spring spool, a second coiled part ofthe spring is wound around the second spring spool, and an intermediatesegment of the spring connects the first and second coiled parts and iscoupled to the slideable block.
 3. The cable retractor of claim 1,wherein (a) the spring exerts a nearly constant retraction force on theslideable block such that, in response to the second end of theintermediate storage section of the cable being at least partly pulledaway from the frame and then released, the spring pulls the slideableblock and the first pulley back toward the first frame end and retractsthe withdrawn portion of the intermediate storage section of the cableback toward the frame, the first pulley being the sole pully pulled backtoward the first frame end.
 4. The cable retractor of claim 3, furthercomprising (a) a staple catch disposed at one of (i) the slideable blockor (ii) the frame at the second frame end, and (b) a latch part disposedat another of (i)) the slideable block or (ii) the frame at the secondframe end, and (c) in response to the second end of the intermediatestorage section of the cable being pulled away from the frame, theslideable block is drawn to the second frame end until the latch partengages the staple catch and prevents the spring from pulling theslideable block and the first pulley back toward the first frame end. 5.The cable retractor of claim 4, wherein (a) in response to the latchpart releasing the staple catch, the spring pulls the slideable blockand the first pulley back toward the first frame end and retracts thewithdrawn portion of the intermediate storage section of the cable backtoward the frame, the first pulley being the sole pully pulled backtoward the first frame end.
 6. The cable retractor of claim 1, wherein(a) the cable is at least one of a USB cable, an Ethernet cable, a15-PIN VGA cable, a HDMI cable, a DVI cable, a CAT-5 cable, a CAT-5Ecable, a CAT-6 cable, an optical fiber, an audio cable, or a displayport cable.
 7. A rotatable docking station, comprising: (a) a swivelmount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronic device to amounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising: (1) anassembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable part configured to beinserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (B) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (2) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(3) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (A) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, (B) a plate partattached to an end of the another insertable part such that the platepart is adjacent to the lip part of the assembly body upon the anotherinsertable part being inserted into the opening in the assembly body,the plate part having at least one aperture formed therein, (C) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each ofthe plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach; and (b) at least one cable retractor of claim 1 coupled to anotherend of the another insertable part of the rotatable body.
 8. A cableretractor, comprising: (a) a frame having first and second frame ends,opposing first and second frame walls disposed between the first andsecond frame ends, and a track extending along one of the first andsecond frame walls; (b) a slideable block configured to slide along thetrack; (c) a single first pulley coupled to the slideable block androtatable about a first axis that moves together with the slidableblock, the first pulley being the sole pully that is rotatable about thefirst axis; (d) at least one spring spool mounted at the first frameend; (e) a spring having a coiled part wound around the at least onespring spool, and having a segment that extends away from the coiledpart and is coupled to the slideable block; and (f) a single secondpulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatable about a fixedsecond axis, the second pulley being the sole pully that is rotatableabout the second axis; (g) wherein (1) an intermediate storage sectionof a cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame, a first end of theintermediate storage section extending through a first opening locatedin one of the first and second frame walls, and a second end of theintermediate storage section extending through a second opening locatedat the second frame end, (2) the intermediate storage section of thecable extends from the first end of the intermediate storage section ofthe cable to the first pulley, then around the at least part of thefirst pulley, then from the first pulley to the second pulley, thenaround the at least part of the second pulley, and then from the secondpulley to the second end of the intermediate storage section of thecable, (3) in response to the second end of the intermediate storagesection of the cable being pulled away from the frame, the first pulleyand the slideable block are urged away from the first frame end towardthe second frame end thereby permitting a portion of the intermediatestorage section of the cable to be withdrawn from the frame, the firstpulley being the sole pully being urged away from the first frame end,and (4) the at least one spring spool comprises (A) first and secondspring spools each mounted at the first frame end, wherein (B) a firstcoiled part of the spring is wound around the first spring spool, asecond coiled part of the spring is wound around the second springspool, and an intermediate segment of the spring connects the first andsecond coiled parts and is coupled to the slideable block.
 9. The cableretractor of claim 8, wherein (a) the spring exerts a nearly constantretraction force on the slideable block such that, in response to thesecond end of the intermediate storage section of the cable being atleast partly pulled away from the frame and then released, the springpulls the slideable block and the first pulley back toward the firstframe end and retracts the withdrawn portion of the intermediate storagesection of the cable back toward the frame, the first pulley being thesole pully pulled back toward the first frame end.
 10. The cableretractor of claim 9, further comprising (a) a staple catch disposed atone of (i) the slideable block or (ii) the frame at the second frameend, and (b) a latch part disposed at another of (i)) the slideableblock or (ii) the frame at the second frame end, and (c) in response tothe second end of the intermediate storage section of the cable beingpulled away from the frame, the slideable block is drawn to the secondframe end until the latch part engages the staple catch and prevents thespring from pulling the slideable block and the first pulley back towardthe first frame end.
 11. The cable retractor of claim 10, wherein (a) inresponse to the latch part releasing the staple catch, the spring pullsthe slideable block and the first pulley back toward the first frame endand retracts the withdrawn portion of the intermediate storage sectionof the cable back toward the frame, the first pulley being the solepully pulled back toward the first frame end.
 12. The cable retractor ofclaim 8, wherein (a) the cable is at least one of a USB cable, anEthernet cable, a 15-PIN VGA cable, a HDMI cable, a DVI cable, a CAT-5cable, a CAT-5E cable, a CAT-6 cable, an optical fiber, an audio cable,or a display port cable.
 13. A rotatable docking station, comprising:(a) a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronicdevice to a mounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising:(1) an assembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable part configured tobe inserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (B) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (2) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(3) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (A) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, (B) a plate partattached to an end of the another insertable part such that the platepart is adjacent to the lip part of the assembly body upon the anotherinsertable part being inserted into the opening in the assembly body,the plate part having at least one aperture formed therein, (C) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each ofthe plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach; and (b) at least one cable retractor of claim 8 coupled to anotherend of the another insertable part of the rotatable body.
 14. A cableretractor, comprising: (a) a frame having first and second frame ends,opposing first and second frame walls disposed between the first andsecond frame ends, and a track extending along one of the first andsecond frame walls; (b) a slideable block configured to slide along thetrack; (c) a single first pulley coupled to the slideable block androtatable about a first axis that moves together with the slidableblock, the first pulley being the sole pully that is rotatable about thefirst axis; (d) at least one spring spool mounted at the first frameend; (e) a spring having a coiled part wound around the at least onespring spool, and having a segment that extends away from the coiledpart and is coupled to the slideable block; and (f) a single secondpulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatable about a fixedsecond axis, the second pulley being the sole pully that is rotatableabout the second axis; (g) wherein (1) an intermediate storage sectionof a cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame, a first end of theintermediate storage section extending through a first opening locatedin one of the first and second frame walls, and a second end of theintermediate storage section extending through a second opening locatedat the second frame end, (2) the intermediate storage section of thecable extends from the first end of the intermediate storage section ofthe cable to the first pulley, then around the at least part of thefirst pulley, then from the first pulley to the second pulley, thenaround the at least part of the second pulley, and then from the secondpulley to the second end of the intermediate storage section of thecable, (3) a second end of the intermediate storage section extendsthrough a second opening located at the second frame end and through thefurther cylindrical tube of the another insertable part, the at leastone roller being configured to direct the second end of the intermediatestorage section to further pass through the at least one side apertureof the at least one of the sidewalls, (4) in response to the second endof the intermediate storage section of the cable being pulled away fromthe at least one aperture in the at least one of the sidewalls of therotatable body, the first pulley and the slideable block are urged awayfrom the first frame end toward the second frame end thereby permittinga portion of the intermediate storage section of the cable to bewithdrawn from the rotatable docking station, the first pulley being thesole pully being urged away from the first frame end, (5) the at leastone spring spool further comprises (A) first and second spring spoolseach mounted at the first frame end, wherein (B) a first coiled part ofthe spring is wound around the first spring spool, a second coiled partof the spring is wound around the second spring spool, and anintermediate segment of the spring connects the first and second coiledparts and is coupled to the slideable block, (6) the spring exerts anearly constant retraction force on the slideable block such that, inresponse to the second end of the intermediate storage section of thecable being at least partly pulled away from the frame and thenreleased, the spring pulls the slideable block and the first pulley backtoward the first frame end and retracts the withdrawn portion of theintermediate storage section of the cable back toward the frame, thefirst pulley being the sole pully pulled back toward the first frameend, (7) the cable retractor further comprises (A) a staple catchdisposed at one of (i) the slideable block or (ii) the frame at thesecond frame end, and (B) a latch part disposed at another of (i)) theslideable block or (ii) the frame at the second frame end, (C) inresponse to the second end of the intermediate storage section of thecable being pulled away from the frame, the slideable block is drawn tothe second frame end until the latch part engages the staple catch andprevents the spring from pulling the slideable block and the firstpulley back toward the first frame end, and (D) in response to the latchpart releasing the staple catch, the spring pulls the slideable blockand the first pulley back toward the first frame end and retracts thewithdrawn portion of the intermediate storage section of the cable backtoward the frame, the first pulley being the sole pully pulled backtoward the first frame end.
 15. A rotatable docking station, comprising:(a) a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronicdevice to a mounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising:(1) an assembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable part configured tobe inserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (B) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (2) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(3) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (A) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, (B) a plate partattached to an end of the another insertable part such that the platepart is adjacent to the lip part of the assembly body upon the anotherinsertable part being inserted into the opening in the assembly body,the plate part having at least one aperture formed therein, (C) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each ofthe plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach; and (b) at least one cable retractor of claim 14 coupled toanother end of the another insertable part of the rotatable body.